Lubricator for bridge trunnions



Aug. 13, 1929. B, AU 1,724,532

LUBRICA'I OR FOR BRIDGE TRUNNIONS Filed Sept. 15, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 13, 1929. J. B. STRAUSS LUBRICATOR FOR BRIDGE TRUNNIONS Filed Sept. 15, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jndefl to,"

Aug. 13, 1929.

J. B. STRAUSS LUBRICATOR FOR BRIDGE TRUNNIONS Filed Sept. 15. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 g- 13, 1929- .I B. STRAUSS 1,724,532

LUBRICATOR FOR BRIDGE TRUNNIONS Filed Sept. 15, 1921 4 sheets-sheet 4 1710mm) Joseph 15. 60141406 Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

wiser JOSEPH B. STRAUSS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LUBRICATOR FOR BRIDGE TRUNNIONS.

Application filed September This invention relates to lubricators, and is particularly adapted for lubricators to be used for trunnions of bascule bridges. In bascule bridges as now constructed, the main span, including the counterweight, is very heavy, and is mounted upon comparatively small trunnions. The pressure exerted by these trunnions is therefore very high, in some cases being as great as fifteen hundred to two thousand pounds per square inch. These trunnions must be properly lubricated.

One of the objects of the present invent-ion is to provide aneflicientlubricating device by means of which these trunnions can be easily, quickly, and cheaply automatically lubricated.

The invention has other objects which are more particularly pointed out in the following description.

Referring now to the drawings.

Fig. l is a view showing one form of lubrieating device for a'bascule bridge trunnion;

Fig. 2 is 'a longitudinal sectional view through the lubricating device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4; is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side view in part section showing the oiling device and the bearing to be oiled.

Like numerals refer to like out the several figures.

In the construction illustrated I have shown the main span 1 of the bascule bridge, having trunnions 2, mounted in suitable bearings. Associated with each trunnion is a lubricating device. As herein shown this lubricating device consists of a. holding receptacle 3 for the lubricating material. This holding receptacle is connected by a suitable connection 4 with a receiving device'5 for the lubricating material. Some means is provided for slowly, gradually, and forcibly discharging lubricating material at the bearing surface of the trunnion, and this device must be capable of exerting a pressure sufiicient to supply a suitable quantity of lubri cating material to the trunnion. In the drawings I have illustrated one construction for this purpose. In this construction there are a plurality of rotating shafts, preferably two, namely shafts 6 and 7. Connected with these shafts so as to rotate with them, are the toothed lubricator feeding devices 6 and parts through- 15, 1921. Serial No. 500,853.

7*. The teeth of these lubricator feeding devices on the two shafts, mesh or engage with each other, and the feeding devices are separated by partitions 8, which preferably ox tend only partway across the lubricator receiving device 5, and which also act as bearings for the shafts 6 and 7.

The holding receptacle 8 is preferably provided with some means for forcing the lubrieating material into the receiving device 5. As herein shown there is a piston 9 for this purpose, and this piston may act by, its own weight, or there may be a spring 10 back of it. The lubricating material passes from this receptacle into the receiving space 11 in the receiving device 5.

All of the feeding devices 6 and 7 have their teeth projecting into this receiving space. The arrangement is such that there are several preferably independent lubricator receiving chambers 12 (See Fig. 3), at one side of the feeding devices, arranged so that the feeding devices by feeding lubricating material thereto, exert a pressure in such chambers so as to discharge the material therefrom. These chambers are preferably independent, and both sets of feeding devices 6 and '7 feed material thereto.

The chambers 12 have outlets 13 which connect with suitable conduits, pipes or passageways 14, which lead to lubricator grooves 15 in the trunnion. The parts 3 and 5, and associated parts, are arranaged to rotate with the trunnion, and are mounted upon some suitable support 16, carried by the moving span. The grooves 15 are preferably pro vided at their other ends with tubes or the like 17, which are stopped or closed by means of the plugs 18. By removing these plugs, the grooves 1.5 may be cleaned out. The pipes Hand 17 are preferably threaded into the ends of the trunnion.

The shafts 6 and 7 are rotated in some suitable manner, preferably each time the main span is opened and closed. In the drawing I have shown a simple construction for this purpose. In this construction the shafts 6 and 7 are provided with teeth or ratchets 19 and 20 (see Fig. 4). Rotatably mounted upon these shafts are the arms 21 and 22, preferably hollow, carrying the pivoted pawls 23 and 24. These pawls are pivoted at 25, and preferably have suitable retarding springs 26.

Some means is provided for moving the an av arms 21 and 22 as the main span opens. In the construction shown this is secured by connecting said arms to a stationary part 27 by a link 28. The free ends of the two arms are preferably connected together by a connecting piece 29. It will be seen that as the main span 1 is opened and closed, .the arms 21 and 22 will be rocked back and forth so as to alternately rotate the shafts 6 and 7 and the feeding devices 6 and 7?.

I have described in detail a particular con struction embodying the invention, but it .is of course evident that the parts may be varied in many particulars, without departing from the spirit of the invention as embodied in the claim hereto attached, and I therefore do not limit myself to the partie ular construction shown.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

The lubricating material is placed in the holding receptacle 3, and is discharged from this holding receptacle into the receiving space 11 in the receiving device 5. This pressure need be only suflicicnt to properly discharge the lubricating material into this receiving space. As the main span is raised and lowered, the arms 21- and 22 are rocked back and forth by means of their connection with the stationary part 27, by means of the link 28. As these arms are rocked in one direction, the pawl 23 engages the teeth 19 on the shaft 6 and moves said shaft a portion of the rotation. As the arms are rotated in the opposite direction, the pawl 23 slides over the teeth without moving the shaft 6, but the pawl 24 engages the teeth 20 and moves the shaft 7 a portion of the rotation. As the shaft 6 is moved, the tooth feeding devices 6 thereon are also moved, and by means of the teeth they transfer lubricating material from the receiving-space 11 to one of the chambers 12, and as the shaft 7 is moved, the feeding devices 7 thereon by means of their teeth, also transfer portions of lubricating material from the receiving space 11 t0 the chambers 12. The teeth of the feeding devices 6* and 7 mesh at their engaging faces, and the construction is such as to prevent the leakage of lubricatbers 12, and this pressure causes the lubricating material to be forced out through the pipes or passageways 14 into the lubricator M receiving grooves 15 in the trunnions. It will be seen that this lubricating material can be forced into these grooves regardless of the high pressure of the trunnions on the bearings as any desired pressure can be secured. This lubricating material then passes into the grooves 15 in the trunnions, and lubricates the bearing surfaces thereof. It will thus be seen that by means of this device, the trunnions of the bridge are auto- 'natically lubricated, and that a sufficient amount of lubrication is insured to properly and efficiently lubricate the trunnions.

I claim:

A device for lubricating trunnions of movable bridges comprising a holding receptacle for the lubricating material, a receiving device into which the lubricating material is received from the holding receptacle, the holding device and receiving device movably mounted, two oppositely moving feeding parts in said receiving device for forcing the lubricating material out of the receiving device, teeth connected with said feeding parts, ratchets engaging said teeth,

an operating connection between said rachets and a stationary part of the bridge structure, whereby the ratchets are alternately operated as the bridge is opened and closed to alternately actuate said feeding parts, and a passageway leading from said receiving device to said trunnion, whereby when the bridge is opened and closed lubricating material is applied to said trunnion Signed at Chicago county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 24th day of August,

JOSEPH B. STRAUSS. 

